DENVER—State lawmakers have approved a bill that would bar adults from talking on cell phones without handsfree devices while driving.

The bill (House Bill 1094) would impose a total ban on cell phone use for drivers younger than 18.

Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, said talking on a phone requires more attention than using a music player or other device.

“When we want to use that phone in the car, we do it all the time, and we’re on the phone for a long time. This is serious,” she told the House Transportation & Energy Committee.

The committee on Tuesday approved the bill and sent it to the Appropriations Committee to review the estimated $613,000 cost of enforcing the measure, which will be offset by $430,000 in revenue the first year.

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